After a long wait, the Michael Jackson biopic titled Michael is finally gearing up for release and Jafaar Jackson, the 'King of Pop's' nephew has a massive responsibility on his shoulders to bring his uncle's story to the big screens.
In a recent interview, the debut actor opened up about the time he spent with Michael and the memories he has with him. "I remember just growing up, and we would have family time. Michael would come over to where I was growing up ... and we’d have some some days where we'd all get together, play family game day," he recollected.
Jaafar was a 12-year-old child when Michael passed away in 2009, but holds many dear memories of his uncle.
"We'd have wonderful times at Neverland and just playing hide-and-go-seek, getting as much candy, going on rides, watching movies. It was all fun," he added.
Speaking about his emotions ahead of his debut, he shared his pre-release jitters, saying, "There's definitely a responsibility that you feel going into something this big, and the scope, and to tell it in a cinematic way. There's so many moments that I wanted to nail and make sure I had the true essence and that feeling. I had to feel it to make sure I believed in it, first."
Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan. Originally slated for an April 2025 release, the film was later shifted to October of the same year before finally settling on its current date of April 24.
The biopic’s synopsis describes it as “an intimate look at the life and enduring legacy of one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known,” chronicling Jackson’s rise from child star to global phenomenon.
The supporting cast is equally star-studded, with Colman Domingo and Nia Long playing Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson; Miles Teller appearing as John Branca, the singer’s long-time advisor and attorney; Larenz Tate portraying Motown legend Berry Gordy; Laura Harrier playing music executive Suzanne de Passe; and Kat Graham appearing as Diana Ross.
Additional cast includes Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones, Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones as long-time friend and former security head, Bill Bray.